Summary of On First Looking into Chapman ‘s Homer by John Keats

The poet begins his poem with the depiction of his travel ‘in the realms of gold’. It is a symbolic statement meaning that he has read about the riches of cultures and civilisation which are as precious as gold in the world of literature.

In such a world, he has come across a number of distinguished writer, their works and their immense knowledge. He has even visited the western Islands (Aegean) where inspirational poets like Apollo were born. It signifies that he is quite aware of the literature of Apollo.

He has often been told that among the vast lands of literature, Homer too rules a significant region i.e. he too has contributed distinguished literature in the literary world. However, the poet, in spite of knowing about him could not go deep into the intellectual enrichment of his works.

It is only after reading the Chapman’s translation, which told about Homer clearly and boldly, he experienced the real joy of reading him (Homer).

The poet compares his reading of Chapman’s translation with the watcher of sky. After reading the translation, feels that like he has discovered a new planet in the sky. Planet here refers to the Homer’s work and sky refers to the world of literature.

He compares his discovery of Homer’s intellect with Cortez’s discovery of Pacific. Cortez and his men, while standing on a peak of Darien, were quite surprised after seeing the vista of Oceans on the either side of the mountain.

Like them, the poet is also quite surprised and amazed to find such piece of work which he did not explore earlier.